TravelCenters of America Plans Nationwide Site Upgrade

TravelCenters of America plans to undergo a nationwide upgrade of its travel center truck stop sites. The recent re-opening of TA’s travel center in Seymour, Indiana, is among the first of more than 100 travel center refresh projects expected to be completed during the next 18 months.

The Seymour travel center is a remodeled site that showcases TA’s new design plans focused on the guest experience. Renovated restrooms, upgraded showers, driver lounges and repaved parking lots are key components of many planned travel center refreshes. New lighting fixtures, new flooring and paint add cosmetic elements which create a “welcoming, pleasant atmosphere,” with improved signage and new store flow.

"We're really focused on areas that mater the most to our professional drivers," said Jonathan M. Pertchik, CEO, in a video: showers, parking areas, restaurants, restrooms and convenience stores. The professional driver lounge and shower areas are being completely remodeled, complete with new recliners and televisions.

Improving the guest experience is a priority initiative under TA’s transformation plan, which includes a capital investment strategy focused on travel center upgrades, reimagined food concepts and technology improvements designed to provide a consistent, seamless travel center experience, TA officials said in a press release.

TA also announced the launch of “The Kitchen,” a fast casual dining experience to be rolled out at select locations nationwide.

At The Kitchen, guests can receive freshly prepared food for sit-down dining in a fast casual environment, as well as packaged meals and snacks for grab and go. TA said it is focused on providing a food variety with well-balanced and healthy options, regional inspiration and trending flavors that appeal to both professional drivers and motorists.

TA is also implementing the latest hot and cold beverage technology, with bean-to-cup coffee, iced coffee, frozen beverages and sodas.